'80s Metal History (September 20th)

September 20, 1984: With frontman Geoff Tate getting the cover of Kerrang!, Queensrÿche played Nottingham, England opening for DIO. The band's first studio album "The Warning" was now in record shops and "Take Hold Of The Flame" just issued as the first single in the UK. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - September 20, 1984.

September 20, 1980: Released eight days earlier, Ozzy Osbourne's debut album "Blizzard Of Ozz", made its debut on the Official UK album chart and on the strength of lead single "Crazy Train", rose quickly into the Top 10, peaking at No. 7. The same day, Ozzy performed at London's Hammersmith Odeon for the first time as a solo artist.

September 1988: Formed two years earlier by former King Kobra members, BulletBoys released their self-titled debut album featuring Top 25 rock hits "For The Love Of Money" (The O'Jay's cover) and "Smooth Up In Ya". Release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - September 16, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! ad - September 24, 1988.

In 1985, a small California record label called JCI released hard rockin' compilation "Crazed - An All Out Metal Assault", featuring Quiet Riot, Queensrÿche, DIO, Helix, Krokus, Armored Saint, Y&T and more.

September 1976: AC/DC's third studio album "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" was released in Australia. The rest of the world would get it in December that year, but the not the US, where it wouldn't be issued until five years later (March 1981).

September 1985: More polished than their debut with hints of glam, Phoenix rockers Icon released their second studio album "Night Of The Crime" featuring "Danger Calling", "(Take Another) Shot At My Heart" and "Out For Blood". Release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - August 16, 1985; Kerrang! - October 3, 1985.

September 1985: Warlock just released their second studio album "Hellbound" in the UK (May '85 in Europe) and started to receive attention from the media and appear in UK and German TV shows. They would later be elected "Best New Band" of '85 in a Kerrang! Magazine Readers' Poll.

Late September 1980: The electrifying debut album from the Michael Schenker Group was now available in North America (August '80 in the UK). After his departure from UFO in 1978 and brief reunion with Scorpions for the "Lovedrive" album, Michael Schenker formed MSG. Release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - September 19, 1980.

September 20, 1986: Ozzy Osbourne headlined "Summer Jam '86 Part II" at the Fairgrounds in Kingston, New Hampshire. Other performers included Queensrÿche and Raven. If you are wondering who played "Summer Jam '86 Part I"? A month earlier it was Foreigner and Meat Loaf. Sorry, you asked 😬